The 'Seven Dials' refers to the layout of the cobbled streets in this scenic part of Covent Garden which includes Monmouth Street, Earlham Street and Mercer Street. The seven streets radiate out from the central sundial - which can still be seen today but is a replica of the original. Looking closely you'll see the dial only has only six faces, this is due to an earlier urban planning drawn up by Thomas Neale in the 17th century who devised the characteristic 'seven dials' street layout to maximise the number of houses that could be built on the site - so maximising his profit. His aim was to create an affluent, upper class area similar to Covent Garden Piazza. He didn't exactly succeed. By the 1700s it was home to shops selling second and third hand goods, Charles Dickens Junior noted the shops selling "every rarity of pigeon, fowl and rabbit, together with rare Birds such as hawks, owls and parrots, love birds and other species native and foreign". Today, Neale would be proud of the fashionable shops, cafes, theatres and the fashionable crowd they attract.

Find out the best London 2016 events with our comprehensive guide to the top entertainment in the city throughout the year. From January through to December, 2016 is packed with unmissable events - so read on to get the best out of London town.

Coco de MerLondon > Shopping > Ladies Fashion23 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H |
Same location as Seven DialsIs there really anyone out there who cares if their dildo is made from hand-carved jade, or their spanking paddle comes from naturally-felled environment friendly wood? ...More

StompLondon > Events > Theatre Dates: 1st August - 8th January 2017Seven Dials, West Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H |
2 minutes from Seven DialsStomp stages an aural assault on your senses at the Ambassadors Theatre. There is no plot, no dialogue and nobody speaks a word. Instead a group ...More

The BodyguardLondon > Events > Theatre Dates: 15th July 2016 to 7th January 2017Seven Dials, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden, London W1T |
4 minutes from Seven DialsThe Bodyguard returns to the West End for a limited six month run from summer 2016 with Beverley Knight playing the title role. A huge hit ...More

English National Opera: The Winter's TaleLondon > Events > Concerts Dates: 27th February to 14th March 2017Seven Dials, St Martin's Lane, WC2N |
6 minutes from Seven DialsThe ENO presents a world premiere of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. The tale of love, loss and reconciliation sees the King of Sicilia mistakenly believe that ...More

Phoenix TheatreLondon > Entertainment > TheatresCharing Cross Road, Soho, London WC2H |
2 minutes from Seven DialsBuilt in 1930, the Phoenix Theatre is a curious mix of classical theatre architecture and the Art Deco style. The columns and arches of the Phoenix ...More

Found111London > Entertainment > Theatres111 Charing Cross Road, WC2H |
3 minutes from Seven DialsFound111 is a temporary theatre space housed at 111 Charing Cross Road, the original site of the Central St Martins School of Art. Having been ...More

Lamb & FlagLondon > Nightlife > Pubs33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E |
3 minutes from Seven DialsOne of the oldest pubs in London, the Lamb & Flag was once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here. ...More

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course near Seven Dials.

The Congress CentreLondon > Business > Venue Hire23-28 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1B |
4 minutes from Seven DialsBased at Congress House, the headquarters of the Trades Union Congress, the Congress Centre offers several meeting and conference rooms for hire within an architecturally-renowned Grade ...More